COM ING UP

LECTURES

PUBLIC VIEWING NIGHT
View the Moon and the Pinwheel Galaxy. 7 p.m., Fri., Dec. 5 at the SSU Observatory. For details and map, visit http://www.phys-astro.sonoma.edu/observatory/pvn.html.

PEACE THROUGH SUSTAINABILITY
Jason Mark, Global Exchange Board of Directors, lectures. Part of the War and Peace Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Tues., Dec. 9 in Warren Auditorium. For more information, call 4-2543, or for a complete list of events in this lecture series, visit http://www.sonoma.edu/a&h/WP_Calendar.htm.

THE HISTORY OF CHRISTMAS: HOW IT ALL BEGAN
An exploration of Christmas led by Dr. Henry Shreibman (left) explores the origins of this Christian celebration hijacked by hallmark and turned into one of the most secularly commercialized holidays in existence. From its foundations upon Hanukkah and other winter festivals, Shreibman explores the common celebratory themes of darkness and light, sun and moon, counting, gift giving, and liberation to determine the true origins of this "Hallmark Holiday" and why it all started. Part of the Religion and Spirituality Lecture Series. 7 p.m., Tues., Dec. 9 in the Student Union Multi-Purpose Room. For more information, call 4- 2382 or visit http://www.sonoma.edu/as/asp.

THE TYRANNY OF OIL
Leading oil industry expert and critic Antonia Juhasz (right) discusses her most recent work The Tyranny of Oil: the World's Most Powerful Industry, and What We Must Do To Stop It. Juhasz provides the hardest-hitting expose of the oil industry in decades, answering today's most pressing energy questions: Why are oil and gasoline prices so unstable? Who's really controlling those prices? How much oil is left? How far will Big Oil go to get it? And at what cost to the economy, environment, human rights, worker safety, public health, democracy, and America's place in the world? Part of the Modern Media Lecture Series. Admission is $5 at http://www.projectcensored.org/lectures, $10 at the door. SSU students and staff admitted free. 7 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 11 in Darwin 103. For more information, call 4-3373, or for a complete list of events in this lecture series, visit http://projectcensored.org/lectures/.

THE BUSINESS OF BEING BORN
Danielle Ronshausen, doula and SSU alumna presents the highly acclaimed documentary, "The Business of Being Born" (right) in the second half of this lecture. The makers of the film depict both sides of the childbirth debate: have a baby in the hospital or at home with a midwife? Ronshausen will answer questions at the end of this highly controversial video. Part of the Women's Health Lecture Series. Noon, Thurs., Dec. 11 in Carson 68. For more information, call 4-2840, or for a complete list of events in this lecture series, visit http://www.sonoma.edu/womenstudies/WHLSFLIER08.pdf

END OF SEMESTER CELEBRATION
Short Presentations of research carried out by Computer Science students and awards presented to Computer Science majors; Pizza served after celebration. Part of the Computer Science Colloquium. Noon, Thurs., Dec. 11 in Salazar 2016. For more information, call 4-2667, or for a complete list of events in this lecture series, visit http://www.cs.sonoma.edu/cs_dept/events/.

FILMS

THE APARTMENT(1960)
Billy Wilder's cynical comedy about an insurance company drone finding a shortcut up the corporate ladder. With Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray. Admission is $5, $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, and $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students admitted free. Sonoma Film Institute. 7 p.m., Sun., Dec. 5 in Warren Auditorium. For more information,, call 4-2606, or for a complete list of events in this series, visit http://www.sonoma.edu/sfi.

CHRISTMAS IN JULY (1940)
Preston Sturges' breathlessly hilarious comedy with Dick Powell as an underpaid clerk who attempts to win a coffee company slogan contest. Presented by the Sonoma Film Institute. Admission is $5, $4.50 for non-SSU students and senior citizens, and $3.50 for SFI members and children under 12. SSU students admitted free. 7 p.m., Sun., Dec. 12 in Warren Auditorium. For more information call 4-2606, or for a complete list of events in this series, visit http://www.sonoma.edu/sfi.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA : PRINCE CASPIAN
The Pevensie siblings return to Narnia, where they are enlisted to once again help ward off an evil king and restore the rightful heir to the land's throne, Prince Caspian. Starring Ben Barnes as Prince Caspian and Georgie Henley as Lucy Pevensie. Part of Scene It Big Screen Movie Night. 9 p.m., Sat., Dec. 13 in the Cooperage. For more information, call 4-2804.

GALLERIES

FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
Combining some of the most pressing political ¬and social changes of the time, "Freedom of Expression: Art in an Age of Uncertainty" brings together approximately 14 California artists whose work directly addresses such issues. The show ranges from the powerful woodblock prints from Sandow Birk's Depravities of War series to the satirical-but no less powerful-paintings and drawings of Enrique Chagoya. The exhibition also includes prints by the noted Los Angeles-based political artist Robbie Conal, a sculpture composed of guns, bullets, buckshot, and bone by Al Farrow, a new video work by the collaborative team of Jeanne C. Finley and John Muse and a legendary "black painting" by the late artist Wally Hedrick that was made in protest of the Vietnam War. The Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Friday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and weekends from noon-4 p.m. The gallery is closed on Mondays and holidays. The exhibition runs through Sun., Dec. 14. For more information, call 4-2295.

FRESH START
Exhibit features the work of students from the advanced painting class under the direction of Mark Perlman, Professor of Painting in the Art and Art History Department. One painting from each student is displayed along with an artist statement and photograph, taken by Perlman, of each student in their studio. The subject matter from each artist is as unique as the themes they are exploring. Artist reception is 4 p.m., Wed., Dec. 3. Exhibit runs from Nov. 20 through Jan. 8, 2009. The University Art Gallery is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and weekends from noon-5 p.m. For more information, call 4-4240.

MUSIC

FALL DANCE CONCERT 2008 - Kristen Daley directs the SSU Dance Program. $8 general admission. SSU students admitted free. 7:30 p.m., Fri., Dec. 5 and Sat., Dec. 6 in Dance Studio Theatre, P.E. 1. For more information, call 4-2325.

TWICE AS NICE
R. Anderson Collinsworth (right) conducts the SSU Symphonic Wind Ensemble with guest Casa Grande High School Symphonic Band. The Sonoma State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble will join forces with the outstanding Symphonic Band from Casa Grande High School to perform an exciting program of wind band music. Admission is $12, $10 for faculty, alumni and staff, and $8 for Seniors/Students. SSU students admitted free. 7:30 p.m., Fri., Dec. 5 in Person Theatre. For more information, call 4-2235 or visit http://www.sonoma.edu/performingarts/perf/season0809.shtml#1202.

ARS NOVA
Jesus Contreras, Will Johnson and Brian S. Wilson (left) direct student composers from the composition program in exciting new works and first performances. 7:30 p.m., Sun., Dec. 7 in Ives 119. For more information, call 4-2235 or visit http://www.sonoma.edu/performingarts/perf/season0809.shtml#1113

OLIVER MESSIAEN 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
SSU's Messiaen Centenary concert features Flutist Kathleen Reynolds in Le Merle noir, Soprano Carol Menke in Pomes Pour Mi, and Music Studio faculty in Quartet for the End of Time and Oiseaux Exotiques with guest Pianist Paul Ammerman. Admission $12 general, $10 faculty, alumni and staff, $8 seniors/students. SSU students admitted free. 7:30 p.m., Wed., Dec. 10 in Ives 119. For more information, call 4-2325 or visit http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/43222 to purchase tickets.

IN A SENTIMENTAL MOOD
John Simon directs the SSU Jazz Vocal Ensemble. Noon, Thurs., Dec. 11 in Warren Auditorium. For more information, call 4-2235 or visit http://www.sonoma.edu/performingarts/perf/season0809.shtml#1113.

AFIFI A FUEGO!
SSU's Latin Jazz Ensemble is all ablaze with their second stylistic sampler from the Caribbean and exotic points south and west. Directed by Bob Affifi. 7:30 p.m., Thurs., Dec. 11 in Warren Auditorium. For more information, call 4-2235 or visit http://www.sonoma.edu/performingarts/perf/season0809.shtml#1113.

MAGNIFICAT!
The Sonoma State University Chorus presents celebratory choral works including Vivaldi's Magnificat and selections from around the world that honor love and peace. Jenny Brent directs. Admission $12 general, $10 faculty, alumni and staff, $8 seniors/students. SSU students admitted free. 8 p.m., Sat., Dec. 13 at the Holy Family Episcopal Church, 1500 E. Cotati Ave. For more information, call 4-2235 or visit http://www.sonoma.edu/performingarts/perf/season0809.shtml#1113.